Will Brittany Ferries switch it's Santander route to Rosslare?

Started by awaityourreply, January 28, 2020, 10:43:47 AM

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awaityourreply

Cork-Santander ferry route may move to Rosslare as company eyes options

It's believed Brittany Ferries are looking at moving the route as two year trial period comes to an end.

The future of the Cork-Santander ferry route is in doubt this morning as Brittany Ferries is believed to be looking at moving the operation to Rosslare.

The route has only been in operation since May 2018 and was initially set up for a two year "trial period". A spokesperson for the company - which has had a strong connection with Cork for over four decades - told CorkBeo this morning that options are being looked at but "no firm decision has been taken".

CorkBeo understands that the end of the trial period has led the ferry company to look closely at moving the service to Rosslare and contingency plans to relocate have been made ahead of a final decision.

However, those already booked to travel from Ringaskiddy to Santander this year should not be affected by the move, which may not happen until early 2021.

The first ever direct ferry route between Ireland and Spain has proved to be very popular with holidaymakers and businesses - but has been hit by problems caused by the weather and by the loss of ships due to serious technical problems.

In mid-September last, the chartered ferry Connemara, the main ship on the Cork-Santander route, had to be taken out of service due to engine problems and some 300 passengers had their trips cancelled just hours before they were due to sail. Passengers were offered a full refund or alternative sailings on the well-established Cork-Roscoff route.

The Brittany Ferries flagship the Pont-Aven, which serves the Cork-Roscoff route, also had to be taken out of service for several weeks last summer when major engine failure put her in dry-dock for urgent repairs.

Source courtesy: Cork Beo
https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/cork-santander-ferry-route-move-17642356

awaityourreply


Just took a glance at Brittany Ferries Enthusiasts online forum and it seems this topic has been under discussion there as well in recent days.

https://bfenthusiasts.com/bfe/topic/13068-future-of-cork-santander/page/4/

Some contributors expressed concern that if this route was to be axed from Cork and if BF was to decide to open it's first services ex-Rosslare Europort, it could mark the beginning of the end for BF long relationship with the Port of Cork. Hopefully these are just rumours although; time will tell as someone pointed out such decisions will be based on purely economical grounds rather than sentimental reasons. 

ccs

Whatever about the future of the Cork Santandar route closing or moving to Rosslare I find it hard to believe that BF would close Cork Roscoff. Its a route that's been very busy over the years and one theyve definetly made money from. Also for people coming from the continent heading to Kerry and the west of Ireland Cork is a much more better port of arrival than Rosslare.

Cladyman

Rodslare would give them a better back up on using stena to Cherbourg or land bridge through to Portsmouth/Plymouth  For Spain services.


bissiere


i think brittany ferries will keep roscoff cork in the summer and rosslare cherbourg all year long remember they are going to do a rail line cherbourg bayonne they said freight from uk and ireland would pass via the port of cherbourg i can also see cherbourg porsmouth by freight

bissiere

the normandy region donates € 2 million for freight by train from cherbourg and the port of le havre is private it does not belong to the region and is expensive and there are already the facilities in the port of cherbourg there is just a renovation to do on existing tracks


awaityourreply

#7
I think you may have hit the nail on the head on this one!

Local regional radio station Beat 102-103 fm covered this particular story and the same Rosslare Independent Councillor is quoted in an article on this topic dated 28th January.

Apparently at an advanced stage and announcement is said to be imminent although; one will have to see how things eventually pan out with Ireland's General Election set to take place on Saturday week 8th February!

Source courtesy: Beat 102-103
https://beat102103.com/news/new-ferry-operator-to-run-sailings-from-rosslare-to-destinations-in-europe/

awaityourreply

#8
Ferry Future: Cork-Santander Route May Move to Rosslare as Company Eyes Options

It's believed Brittany Ferries are looking at moving the Cork-Santander route (to Rosslare) as two year trial period comes to an end. MV Connemara AFLOAT adds had launched the Ireland-Spain route in 2018, however this year is served by the larger ropax Kerry (above) as previously reported on Ferry News. Afloat also adds that in November due to stormy weather sailings were cancelled which led to berthing temporarily (as seen) at Marino Point, Cork Harbour, upriver of Ringaskiddy Ferry Terminal.
It's believed Brittany Ferries are looking at moving the Cork-Santander route (to Rosslare) as two year trial period comes to an end. MV Connemara AFLOAT adds had launched the Ireland-Spain route in 2018, however this year is served by the larger ropax Kerry (above) as previously reported on Ferry News. Afloat also adds that in November due to stormy weather sailings were cancelled which led to berthing temporarily (as seen) at Marino Point, Cork Harbour, upriver of Ringaskiddy Ferry Terminal.

https://afloat.ie/media/k2/items/cache/86cd890c6738c03a8000abfcdb6fe005_L.jpg

Photo: Irish Institiute of Master Mariners (IIMM) facebook

Meanwhile I've heard a different report that this service will stop on 28th February apparently due to ongoing issue with stowaways - the service does NOT accept any foot passengers. Again probably best to wait for official announcements from Brittany Ferries and the Port of Cork. Just glanced at Cork to Santander for available ferry crossings and they still seem to display available for booking on certain dates into the Summer!

Note: Cork to Santander is still available for booking on select dates via the Brittany Ferries company website so continue as normal.

Maybe all this rumour and speculation has thrived with local candidates going forward in the upcoming Irish General Election 2020 taking place on Saturday 8th February.

Source courtesy:
https://www.eldiariomontanes.es/cantabria/santander-pierde-ruta-20200129115948-nt.html
https://afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news/item/45227-cork-santander-ferry-route-may-move-to-rosslare-as-company-eyes-options

awaityourreply

#9
Major Cork ferry route cancelled
The Brittany Ferries Cork to Santander route has been replaced by a route from Rosslare to Bilbao, as the key freight route to Europe.

The company has said the change is in response to demand from Irish and continental hauliers. The first sailing is due to take place on February 28.

Brittany Ferries have, however, confirmed their ongoing commitment to the Cork to Roscoff route, which will continue to be a primary tourism route.

The decision comes following detailed discussions between the company and the Ports of Cork and Rosslare.

"This was not a decision we took lightly and follows extensive consultation with our freight customers who sought better road connections and reduced driving distances," Christophe Mathieu, Brittany Ferries CEO, said.

"We opened the route in 2018 with a two-year trial window. While passenger numbers have been encouraging, the reality is that freight numbers, which are key to route viability, were not sufficiently robust.

"However I want to make it clear that we remain committed to Cork, with our flagship Pont-Aven cruise-ferry service to Roscoff. We're also committed to an Ireland-Spain route, now via Rosslare, and we'll look after existing passengers whose future travel will be affected by this change," he added.

Customers already booked on affected sailings from Cork will be given the option to transfer their booking to sailing between Rosslare and Bilbao/Roscoff and an allowance will be given to cover additional transfers.

Alternatively, a full refund will be provided to those who choose to cancel.

The Cork-Santander route which was launched in 2018 was primarily aimed at the freight market into Europe although it also carried holidaymakers. The new route out of Rosslare will be similar.

Brittany Ferries have said that Rosslare is a preferred option among hauliers, with its proximity to Dublin and the east coast road network. Hauliers operating on the European mainland have said that Bilbao is more attuned to freight traffic and has easier transport links into Europe.

Source courtesy: IrishExaminer.com and EchoLive.ie

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/brittany-ferries-moves-ireland-to-spain-departure-port-from-cork-to-rosslare-978456.html

https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/Major-Cork-ferry-route-cancelled-4055dc59-d23f-404a-bc04-3cc3ab6f0f0b-ds

ccs

So the plan for the annual trip to France this year was to sail in and out of Cork (for the first time since 2010). Finish work at 6pm and after dinner pack the car and make the 25 minute drive to Ringaskiddy. However it looks like its a day off work and a drive to Rosslare   ;) 

QuoteSailing date: 29/06/20

I'm writing to you today to confirm important changes to your booking and our économie services between Ireland, Spain and France.

From the 28th February 2020 we are moving our scheduled sailings from Cork to Santander to the ports of Rosslare and Bilbao. Additionally our midweek économie sailing from Cork to Roscoff will now operate from Rosslare.

I'm sorry to confirm your forthcoming sailing is among those affected. The dates of your sailing will not change and we will email you separately to confirm departure times within two weeks.

We hope you will still choose to travel with us and, if you do, you'll receive a contribution to your onward travel costs to cover the distance between the original ports booked and our new destinations. We will arrange this for you. If you now no longer wish to travel with us, please reply by email to sailing.changes@brittanyferries.com or over the phone on +353 (0)21 425 3117 to confirm you wish to cancel within 14 days and we'll arrange a refund for you.

Please note our classic cruise-ferry services between Cork and Roscoff remain unchanged.

We've decided to change our économie services on the back of significant customer demand, especially from our freight customers who are vital to the ongoing success and viability of our Ireland to Spain services. The road networks into and out of Rosslare and Bilbao are more convenient for many customers, and critically, most hauliers. We need to adapt to their needs, although I acknowledge and regret this may be inconvenient for others.

As things stand, we are determined to continue offering fabulous holidays to Spain for our Irish customers but need to make these important changes to grow our market share and maintain the route's viability.

Please click here https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ferry-routes/planning/ports/bilbao to learn more about Bilbao, including our port and its facilities.

If you have more than one sailing booked on any of our affected routes, we will be in touch again, by email and SMS to confirm changes. In the meantime I hope we can welcome you on board soon.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your custom and understanding.

Yours sincerely,

Hugh Bruton
General Manager
Brittany Ferries Ireland


awaityourreply

#11
"Port of Cork seems to be continuing to look at Northern Spain despite today's announcement on the Cork to Santander route.

Wednesday 29 January 2020

Port of Cork's Response to Brittany Ferries Decision To Finish the Cork to Santander Ferry Route

The Port of Cork have been informed by Brittany Ferries that the weekly Ro-Pax ferry service from Cork to Santander which includes a midweek Roscoff sailing is to cease operating. This surprising decision by Brittany Ferries is very disappointing, however we will continue to pursue other options for linking Cork and Northern Spain.

We remain supportive of Brittany Ferries who have operated out of Cork for over 40 years and we will continue to facilitate Brittany Ferries on their weekly service from Cork to Roscoff re-commencing in March 2020.

Ends

Sara Mackeown
Commercial Marketing Executive
Port of Cork Company
Custom House Street
Cork
T12 CY88
Ireland

DD +353 21 4625375
Mobile 086 1044011

www.portofcork.ie
Follow us on Twitter @portofcork"


https://www.portofcork.ie/index.cfm/page/currentnews/id/241

awaityourreply

Brittany Ferries ends Cork-Santander route

Company will soon begin new service between Rosslare and Bilbao in northern Spain

Full article via below link in The Irish Times:
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/brittany-ferries-ends-cork-santander-route-1.4155502